SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — UPDATE: Highway 119 has officially been re-opened to the public.

CBS42 spoke with Cindy Warner of Shelby County Schools. She said the students of Oak Mountain Elementary and Middle School were relocated as a safety precaution earlier this morning. They are currently awaiting word from the Shelby County Sheriff and Alagasco that it is safe to transport students back to their regular schools.

ORIGINAL: Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies have closed Alabama Highway 119 as of 6:30 am Thursday morning. The highway is closed in both directions due to a motor vehicle accident that broke a natural gas pipeline.

Traffic is being diverted at the intersections of Heardmont Park to the west and Shelby County Highway 14 to the east. Major traffic delays are expected.

Gas is still actively escaping the pipeline and traveling west. Alagasco is actively working to resolve the gas leak and until it is contained no one will be allowed into the affected area.

Students from both schools are currently being relocated. Children from Oak Mountain Elementary are being transitioned to Oak Mountain Intermediate school, while children from Oak Mountain Middle School are being sent to Oak Mountain High School.

Buses with children already on them have been re-routed accordingly and parents may drop off children at both schools.